I nurse my 27 month old in public if she asks and really needs it and only in a sling. People here nurse so discreetly, I think most people believe that it isn't in practice! The last time I nursed her in public was in an IKEA store in Minn. in one of their show rooms. I got no looks at all. AND she fell asleep for her nap, finally! (I was tempted to lay down in one of their beds...but dh said NO!)

At powwows NIP used to be everywhere. A common story, and it even happened to me once, was the toddler who got hurt and would run up to the nearest woman, lift up her shirt and try to get Nii-nii's.

I was 17 when I was just sitting and watching, when this little boy, who was dancing, fell and skinned his knee. I must have been wearing a similar shirt as his mama, because I could tell that is where his eyes homed in on with tears in his eyes. He ran over(less than a foot away) and lifted my shirt and latched on so fast I didn't even have time to realize what he was doing!
Then just as quickly let go, because, obviously I didn't have any milk for him, looked up at me with tears streaming, then got that look on his face that says, "Oh oh, this ain't my mama!" And took off to find his mama.

It was so fast, only my aunt who was sitting next to me even caught what had happened. She leaned over and said, "That's why I keep my shirt tucked in."

What a cute story! I remember tugging on a pant leg thinking it was my mama's as a child.

I still NIP - my son is 2 1/2 and I do get looks. I remember when my son was 1 1/2 and wanted to nurse inside a Catholic church during my niece's baptism. My mother actually had the nerve to tell me to go outside and set on the steps of the church in full summer sun to nurse him. What's worse is I complied.

It's beautiful to hear stories where nursing in public is considered the norm.